“For you.”
Hyogoro handed a box nearly two meters in length to Kojiro.
“This is.”
“Sword. I suppose your sword has been passed down through generations?”
“That’s right.”
“That makes sense. I found some biographies recently, with descriptions of your ancestors. If I’m not mistaken, he was a bit shorter than you are now. But that’s normal, considering it was many years ago.”
Hyogoro took a sip of the tea and continued, “That sword was tailor-made for him, but it may not be suitable for you. If my calculations are correct, the length of that sword is a bit short for you. This length would be more suitable for you.”
Having sparred with Kojiro for so long, witnessing him progress from dislocating his joints with a single attack to using Tsubame-gaeshi flawlessly, Hyogoro had witnessed Kojiro’s growth and noticed the effect of the sword’s length on his technique.
However, ultimately, it comes down to Kojiro’s strength. If he can reach the level of a master swordsman like his ancestor, integrating the techniques into his sword rather than merely imitating, then the impact of the weapon’s length wouldn’t be as significant.
“Thank you.”
“I simply don’t want that technique to decline. Even if you’re not in Wano Country, you still need to practice diligently.”
“Yes, I understand.”
For this reason, Kojiro’s luggage now included another sword. However, this sword was not very convenient because, given Kojiro’s height and arm length, it was too long. To make things more convenient, he had no choice but to bring an extra sword, evolving into a Two Sword Style.
Even though the sword style handed down in his family was the One Sword Style, there was still some research conducted on Two Sword Style.
In gratitude for providing Musashi a stable job, Musashi’s mother, Miyamoto, gave him an ancient sword manual as a gift. It documented a Two Sword Style sword technique called Niten Ichi-ryū.
To use this Two Sword Style, he brought along another sword, transforming into a Three Sword Style warrior with two swords at his waist and a large sword slung diagonally on his back.
Even though this Three Sword Style cannot be used with all three swords simultaneously.
The next day, Jack and Kojiro left Wano Country together with Mandrell. Before departure, their companions bid them warm farewells, especially Ulti, who sincerely hoped he never returned.
“Sis, this isn’t nice. Big Brother Jack’s been really good to me.”
“Huh? You’re not allowed to call him ‘big brother.’ Your big sister is all you need!”
Everything else may be fine, but when it comes to Page One, Ulti becomes like a powder keg, exploding at the slightest provocation, no matter how many times.
“But that Jack is actually a Fish-Man. He doesn’t look like one at all.”
Indeed, at first glance, Jack had no resemblance to Fish-Men. There were no webbed fingers between his hands; the only distinctive feature was his sharp teeth.
On the ship, Kojiro and Jack continued their training as usual, while Mandrell was taking notes, his behavior similar to Zeraora. His romantic experiences may not be much, but at least he had someone to learn from.
Zeraora was his predecessor. Both Merfolk and Mink are considered minority races, and there is a certain commonality between them.
At the same time, there was also Queen’s love advice and such, which sounded quite absurd. Currently, Queen claims to have the most extensive romantic experiences. (self-claimed)
The distance from Wano Country to Fishman Island was not short. During this time, Jack noticed a significant change in Mandrell.
When Mandrell applied for a transfer to Fishman Island, he was sad for a few days. After all, that was his big brother.
Humans are always emotional, and even if the places he battled in the original timeline became barren as if they had experienced a drought—hence the name “Drought Calamity”—at this age, he still has a gentle side.
For instance, the Alcremie perched on his shoulder finds Jack particularly gentle.
Meanwhile, the significant change in Mandrell was that he had started to cook.
“Jack, try this scallop meat, and tell me how it is.”
During dinner, Jack saw various dishes made from scallops, clams, and sea snail.
Merfolk don’t eat fish or sea beast’s meat, but shellfish is included in Merfolk’s diet. Although Jack is just a Fish-Man, Mandrell believes that their taste buds should have some similarities.
These shellfish have been processed. Although Fishman Island is in the deep sea, they have a way to cook food.
Fishman Island has electrical appliances, capable of heating food and making coffee. Through the Sunlight Tree Eve, Fishman Island not only can obtain sunlight but also electricity. Their power generation technology is quite unique compared to the outside world.
Of course, eating things raw is also quite common.
Mandrell was learning to cook, so strange things were happening on the ship.
On the first day, facing a table full of shellfish, Kojiro and Jack felt it was quite novel. Although Mandrell is not a great chef, what he made wasn’t too bad tasting.
But a week later, their expressions turned blank, and a month later, looking at a table full of shellfish, they couldn’t take it anymore.
“Brother Mandrell, is there nothing else to eat?”
Three meals a day, even if cooked in various ways, they have had enough of them.
“Jack, wasting on the sea is not good; under no circumstances should food be wasted, understand?”
“But Brother Mandrell, what does this have to do with that?”
Although he didn’t like vegetables and fruits, after a month, he felt that Alcremie’s Berry meal is tastier than these shellfish.
“Endure it just for a few more days, I’ll soon grasp the trick to these dishes.”
During the experiment, he produced a large number of failed dishes. Over the past few days, his subordinates had already eaten enough of these things. So, Jack and Kojiro, the two newcomers, were proudly promoted to be the new tasters.
In the end, during the journey, Mandrell learned how to make scallops and other shellfish, and Jack and Kojiro successfully crossed out shellfish from their diet.
After a long journey, they once again reached the intersection of the center of Grand Line. Kojiro not only came alone, but also brought some goods from land. Some business always had to be done.
Due to the cargo, he waited for coating at the Beasts Pirates’ base. Meanwhile, Mandrell and Jack, relying on their ability and race, had already gone into the water.
“Brother Mandrell, is this Fishman Island?”
“No, Fishman Island is over there. This is Fish-Man District. I’ll take you there first. Remember, here, I am a Fish-Man.”
This was the false identity he had been using for a long time. It would be terrible if Jack ruined it with just one word.
“Don’t worry, Brother Mandrell. I won’t speak carelessly.”
“Well, follow me.”
Behind him, he was dragging a bubble containing gifts that couldn’t be soaked in water.
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